Talking Book highlighted for learning and training, risk communication, and community engagement
Previous epidemics like the Ebola outbreak proved the urgency and need for a coordinated approach to sharing time-sensitive health information and data. With the COVID-19 pandemic began, every region in every country needed access to accurate and reliable information on symptoms, risks, treatment, and prevention. To strengthen the digital health infrastructure, Digital Square—a PATH-led initiative funded by USAID, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and a consortium of other donors—launched the Map & Match project. Map & Match includes resources to help the global health community leverage and adapt existing digital tools in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Amplio Talking Book was included in the Map & Match Ghana country brief as a tool for learning and training, risk communication, and community engagement.
Leveraging Talking Books for COVID-19 communication
At the onset of the pandemic, Ghana Health Services and Amplio teamed up to share information on COVID-19 symptoms, treatment, and prevention. UNICEF provided the use of their Amplio Talking Book devices, which were distributed to 202 Community-Based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) centers and Community Health Volunteers (CHVs) in eight districts—Nandowli/Kaleo, Jirapa, Lawra, Nandom, Lambussie, Sissala West, Sissala East, and Wa West. Community Health Nurses and CHVs used Amplio’s technology to deliver accurate and reliable health information. The messages were produced in four languages: Dagaare, Lambussie Sissali, Kassim, and Tumu Sissali.
UNICEF/Joseph Mills
Pandemic and lockdown topics included signs, symptoms, and causes of COVID-19, handwashing/sanitizing, social distancing, correct mask usage, social stigma, and domestic violence. When the vaccine was rolled out in Ghana, Talking Books were updated with new messages to encourage vaccine awareness and uptake.
Watch the presentation of the Map & Match project for more information.